Carbureter



No. 607,889. Patented July 26, I898. F. A. SMITH.

CARBURETER.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 189B.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 607,889. Patented July 26 "398:.

F. A. SMITH.

CARBURETER. (N0 ModeL) (Application-filed Jan. !1, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS co. PHOYO-LITHD., WASHINGTON u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Prion.

FRANK SMITH, OF OCONTO, VISCONSIN.

CARBURETER.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 607,889, dated July 26,1898. Application filed January 11, 1898. Serial No. 666,296. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK A. SMITH, of Oconto, in the county of Ocontoand State of \Visconsin, have invented a new and useful ImprovementinApparatuses for Making Gas, of which the following is a description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part ofthis specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in apparatuses for making gas,pertaining more particularly to that class of apparatuses which areintended to be set up for use in dwellings, oftice-buildin gs, and thelike in order that gas may be manufactured and supplied for particularpremises.

The object had in view is to provide certain improvements upon the formof gas apparatus described and claimed in my pending application forpatent for improvements for apparatuses for making gas, filed September27, 1897, Serial No. 653,225, being intended to comprehend a more simpleand compact form of construction than that covered in said pendingapplication for patent.

With the above primary objects in view the invention consists of thedevices and parts or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully setforth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sectional view of the entireapparatus,showing a fragment of the gasolene-tank. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontalsection through the carbureter. Fig. 4 is a section through the gasolenevalve-casing and the valve mechanism thereof, and Fig. 5 is a sectionthrough the water-valve mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 6 indicates a main storage-tankfor containing gasolene or its equivalent.

The numeral 7 indicates a water-tank which is partially filled withwater, and 8 the dis tributing gas-holder, consisting, as usual, of anopen-bottom cylinder inverted into the tank. The holder is advisablyprovided at its top with projecting arms carrying rollers 9, which Workagainst guides 10 10 and serve to maintain the holder in true uprightposition and to also facilitate movement up and down of said holder.Extending through the lower portion of the tank 7 and up into thegas-holder for a desired distance is a gas-distributing pipe 11. Thispipe after leaving the tank is extended upwardly, so as to conduct thegas to the different rooms or apartments to be lighted.

The numeral 12 indicates another watertank which is formed or providedwith an inner wall 13, connected at its lowerend to the outer wall ofthe tank'and forming a space 14 'for the reception of oil or othersuitable liquid 15 in order to provide a seal against the escape of gas.The upper endof the inner wall 13 is of a truncated conical form, and tothe lower edge of this truncated cone is secured a packing 16 of leatheror other desirable material. The edge of this packing projects for adesired distance beyond the conical surface.

The numeral 17 indicates an initial gasholder which is inverted into thetank 12 and is adapted to extend into the space 14 between the outerwall of the tank and the inner wall 13 thereof. It will be noticed thatthe outer edge of the packing contacts with the inner wall of thegas-holder 17, and consequently the upper end of the space 14: betweenthe inner wall 13 and the inner side of the gasholder is thereby closed.The top of the gasholder 17 has also extending therefrom arms carryingat their outer ends rollers 18 18, which work against guides 19 19.

Extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank 12 into the chamberconfined by the Wall 13 is a pump-cylinder 20. WVithin this cylinder isa piston 21, which has a stem 22 extending upwardly therefrom andthrough the top of the cylinder. The upper extremity of this stem isadjustably connected to the top of the gas-holder 17, as indicated at23. Extending through the water-tank 12 and communicating with the lowerportion of the pump-cylinderis a water-pipe 2 1. To the outer end ofthis pipe is connected a coupling, forming an interior valve-chamber 25.WVithin this chamber is a three-way valve 26, provided with tworadiating fingers which contact with the inner circular wall of thevalve-chamber. This valve is provided with a stem 27, which projectslaterally through the valve-chamber, and to the endthereof is connecteda crank 28. To this crank in turn is connected a vertical rod 29, whichrod passes freely through an eye in an arm 30, projecting out from thetop of the gas-holder 17. The rod carries thereon adjustablecontactcollars 31 31, located, respectively, above and below the arm 30.The coupling forming the valve-chamber 25 has depending therefrom awater-outlet pipe 32, which is extended to any suitable point fordischarge. The outer end of said coupling has connected thereto a nipple33, which in turn connects with an elbow 34, said elbow having extendingfrom its lower end an inlet-pipe 35.

The numeral 36 indicates a gas-generator or carbureter, consisting,preferably, of a cylindrical tank, which is partially filled withgasolene orother gas-producing medium. This tank is located within thechamber formed by the inner wall 13 of the water-tank 12 and rests onand is secured to the bottom of said water-tank 12. Extendingup from thebottom of the gas-generator is a cylinder 37. The cylinder is not incommunication with the chamber of the gas-generator, so that an annularchamber is thereby formed in the lower portion of the gas-generator,which chamber is filled with the gasolene. Surrounding the cylinder 37and located in the lower portion of the gas-generator is a perforatedcircular pipe or annulus 38, to which an air-pipe 39 connects, said pipecommunicating with the external atmosphere. The cylinder therefore formsa small annular chamber in the gas-generator, and consequently but asmall amount of gasolene is necessary to fill the chamber. WVithin achamber at the outer end of the pipe 39 is a flap-valve 40. The airwhich enters the pipe 39 passes into the ring .or annulus 3S, andissuing out of the perforations thereof passes through the gasolene,being thereby impregnated with said gasolene and becoming a gaseousvapor, which enters the upper portion of the generator above the line ofthe gasolene, finally issuing out of a discharge-pipe 41 at the top ofthe generator and being discharged into the chamber formed by the innerwall 13 of the water-tank 12, from which chamber it is free to passthrough the top opening thereof and fill the space below the top of theinitial gas-holder 17.

From the gasolene storage-tank 6 extends pipe 41, which pipeleads to agasolene valvecasing 42. The pipe 41 extends into this casing andconnects with a coupling 43. One end of this coupling is extendedintothe pipe 41 for a short distance to form a valve-seat 44. Against thisseat is adapted to work a valve 45, which is advisably pressed againstby a spring 46 in order to assist in normally holding the valve againstits seat. The valve is provided with an inwardly-extending valvestem 47,which extends through the inner end of the coupling and connects withthe short arm of a bell-crank lever 48, said lever being pivoted at thepoint 49. The long arm of this lever carries a float-ball 50. Anotherpipe 51 leads from the gasolene valve-casing 42 and extends through thewater-tank 12 and communicates with the gas-generator 36 near the lowerend of said generator.

A pipe 52 extends from the top of the gasolene storage -tank, and isthence extended through the bottom of the Water-tank 12 and upwardly fora desired distance into the chamber confined by the inner wall 13. Thispipe 52 is provided medially with a short branch pipe 53, whichcommunicates with the gasolene valve-casing 42. The object of this pipe52 and the branch pipe 53 is to secure at all times an equal pressure inthe gasolene storage-tank in the gasolene valve-casing. It is obviousthat the pressure of the gaseous vapor-beneath the top of thegas-holder17 will cause said gaseous vapor to pass through the pipe 52,thence through the branch pipe 53 into the gasolene valve-casing, andalso flow through that portion of the pipe 52 leading to the gasolenestorage-tank, thereby producing equal pressures in said tank, and intothe gasolene valve-casing.

Within the bottom of the chamber formed by the inner wall 13 and belowthe Water-line is arranged a circular steam-pipe 54. This pipe has aninlet-pipe 55, communicating therewith and leading from any suitablesource of steam-supply,and a discharge-pipe 56,1eadin g therefrom. Theobject of the circular steampipe is to provide as near as possible anequal temperature to the Water in order to prevent said Water fromfreezing. If desired, the steam-pipe 54 may be entirely omitted and thetemperature of the water in the tank regulated solely by the temperatureof the in-.

flowing water to the pump.

The circular chamber confined by the wall 13 is connected with theterminal gas-holder 8 by means of a pipe 57. The end of this pipe withinthe chamber formed by the inner wall 13 is located therein above thewaterline and is then extended downwardly and outwardly through the tank12, thence to and through the water-tank 7, and its discharging end isformed or provided with an elongated conical portion 58, the upperextremity of said discharging portion extending a distance into thegas-holder 8 at a point just above the upper edge of the water-tank 7 Tothe end of the pipe 57 which is located within the chamber formed by theinner Wall 13 is connected a coupling 59, which forms a valvechamber fora flap valve 60. Extending through the upper end of the conical portionof the pipe 57 and into said conical portion for a desired distance is arod 61. The lower end of this rod, within the conical portion, is formedwith a ball-valve or enlargement 62. At the top of the gas-holder Sisformed an upwardly-extending tubular boss 63,to which is adjusted ascrew-cap 64. The upper end of the rod 61 is threaded and passes througha plain opening in the screw-cap. Nuts 65 65 are turned on the threadsof the rod and are located above and below the top of the screwcap, asclearly shown. rod, itis obvious that all that is necessary is to turnthe screw-cap in the proper direction to either raise or lower the rod,as desired.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: The liquidgasolene is free to enter the gas'generator 36 whenever the valve 45 isaway from its seat. The valve is moved away from its seat whenever thefloat 5O falls to such an extent by the lowering of the level of thegasolene in the generator and in the gasolene valve-casing as to act onthe stem of the valve and force said valve away from its seat againstthe pressure of the coiled spring. As soon as the generator fills to acertain height the float is again raised to such an eX- tent as to forcethe valve against its seat and stop further inflow of the gasolene.

In this position of the three-way valve 26 water from the source ofsupply is free to flow through the inlet-pipe 35, thence through thepassage of the valve-chamber 25 formed between the radial arms of thevalve, thence into the pipe 24, through which pipe it is conducted intothe lower end of the pump-cylinder in the space beneath the piston 21.The pressure of the water against said piston will cause the piston torise, and with this upward movement the piston-stem 22, by its directconnection with the gas-holder 17, will cause an up movement of saidgas-holder. With the raising of the gas-holder a vacuum is formedtherein and a suction is created through the pipe 39, which opens theflapvalve 40 and draws the external air through said pipe into theannulus or ring 38, and thence out through the perforations of said.ring, and, becoming thoroughly impregnated with the gasolene, issuesinto the space confined by the inner wall 13 in the form of a gaseousvapor, which fills up the space above the water-line, the oil forming aseal against the escape of the gas. After the gas-holder 17 has moved acertain distance upwardly the arm 30 will contact with the collar 31 andcause an up movement of the rod 29. This arm will therefore turn thecrank 28, so as to shift the three-way valve 26 and put the pipe 2a intoregister with the discharge-pipe 32 and at the same time to close theinlet. The water is now free to pass out of the pump-cylinder.

In further explanation it will be understood that if gas is permitted topass out of the pipe 11 the gas-holder will necessarily descend, so asto move the ball-valve 62 away from the contracted portion of theconical discharge 58. This will at once permit gas in the holder 17 toflow through the pipe 57 into the gasholder 8, so as to fill saidgas-holder with a quantity of gas equal to that withdrawn therefrom, andthis operation takes place before any operation whatever of the pumpmechanism occursthat is to say, the gas: holder 17 descends a certaindistance in order to force gas into the holder 8, and after said holder17 has descended a sufficient distance to cause the arm 30 to contactwith the In order to adjust the collar 31 the valve 26 is turned back tothe position shown in Fig. 5, when of course the operation firstexplained again takes place.

It will be understood that if after the outlet-pipe is opened and thewater beneath the piston flows out through this pipe and the gas isturned off or is not being used then the piston will remain at itsadjusted position. It will be understood that on the lowering of thegas-holder 17 the flap-valve 6O is'opened and thegas is forced into thepipe 57 and discharged through the conical portion 58 of said .pipe.

The rod 61 and the ball-valve 62 at the lower end thereof are not onlyfor the purpose of governing the amount of gas entering the holder 8,but are also for the purpose of controlling the distance the gas-holderS can be raised vertically-that is to say, they prevent said gas-holderfrom being raised to such a vertical height as to bring its lower edgeabove the water-line, and thereby allow the escape of gas. The rod is soadjusted that after the gas-holder has been raised to such a height asto bring its lower edge nearly to the surface of the water the valve 62will have been raised sufficiently high to bring it into the contractedportion of the conical discharge, and thereby close the piston againstfurther flow of the gas into the gas-holder.

From the above description it will be seen that in my improved apparatusthe gasis forced from the initial gas-holder 17 into the distributinggasholder 8 by means of the descent by gravity of the gas-holder 17,while said gas-holder 17 is raised by means of a pump having itspiston-stem in direct connection with the gas-holder. The ball-valve 62necessarily produces an even feed of the gas into the holder 8, andconsequently an even pressure of the gas in said holder.

It will be seen that my invention differs from that described in mypending application for patent, filed September 27,1897, Serial No.653,225, hereinbefere referred to, more particularly in the compactarrangement of the parts. In said pending application the gas-generatorand the pump mechanism are not arranged within the initial water-tank,as is the case with my present improvements. In the present improvementsthe pump mechanism and gas-generator are located within the initialWater-tank, and I also provide Within said tank a suitable means forsecuring an even temperature of the Water. Furthermore, an improvedconstruction of gas-generator is also provided, and, still further, thepiston-rod of the pump is connected directly to the top of the initialgas-holder instead of being connected through the intermediary of arocking lever, as in my pending application. I have also improved theform of construction of the initial water-tank in the provision of aninterior wall forming an annular chamber for the reception of oil, ashereinbefore described.

It will be obvious that in the present ara distance from the other partsof the apparatus, so that danger from explosion is reduced to theminimum.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In an apparatus for making gas, thecombination, of initial and terminal gas-holders, water-tanks into whichsaid holders are inverted and are movable, means for supplying gas tothe initial gas-holder, a pipe extending from the initial gas-holder toand into the terminal gas-holder, a distributing-pipe leading from theterminal gas-holder, pump mechanism Within the initial Water-tank, andhaving its piston-stem extending up to and connecting directly with theinitial gas-holder, means for introducing a pressure agent into thecylinder of the pump mechanism, to cause an up movement of the piston ofsaid pump mech anism by pressure thereagainst, whereby the initialgas-holder is elevated on said up movement of the piston, and means forcausing the pressure agent to be discharged from beneath the piston, topermit of the descent of said piston and consequent descent of theinitial gas-holder.

2. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of initial andterminal gas-holders, Water-tanks into which said holders are invertedand movable, means for supplying gas to the initial gas-holder, a pipeextending from the initial gas-holder to and into the terminal,gas-holder, a distributing-pipe leading from the terminal gas-holder,pump mechanism within the initial Water-tank, and having its piston-stemextending up to and connected with the initial gas-holder, a rod forcontrolling the valve of the actuating medium of the pump-piston,contacts carried by said rod, and an arm projecting from the initialgasholder, and adapted to engage the stops of the rod on the up and downmovements of said holders, whereby a reversal of the Valve mechanism issecured.

3. The combination, of agenerator, having a suitable discharge andprovided interiorly with a chamber formed by a Wall of such lessdimensions than the generator as to leave a space around said innerchamber, the wall forming this chamber secured to and extending upwardlyfrom the bottom of the generator, a pipe located Within the generatorand arranged around the Wall forming the interior chamber, and providedwith a discharge opening or openings, and means for conducting air tothe pipe for discharge out of the opening or openings thereof.

4. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water-tankprovided with an interior Wall, whereby a chamber is formed for thereception of a suitable fluid, a gas-holder inverted into the water-tankand extending into the chamber formed between the two walls of theWater-tank, and a packing arranged around and extending from the innerwall of the Water-tank and bearing against the gas-holder.

5. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water-tank andtelescoping gasholder, a storage-tank for containing a suitablegas-producing medium, a generator, a pipe extending from thestorage-tank, a casing to which said pipe leads, another pipe leadingfrom the casing to the generator, said generator being in communicationwith the gasholder, valve mechanism within the casing, and adapted to beautomatically opened when the supply of gasolene within the casing fallsbelow a normal level, and to be automatically closed when the supply ofgasolene in the easing is augmented to a certain extent, and a pipeleading from the storage-tank into the Water-tank and gas-holder,saidpipe provided with a branch pipe leading to the casing for the valvemechanism.

6. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water-tank anda gas-holder inverted therein, pump mechanism within the water-tank,andhaving its piston-stem extending to and connected with the gas-holder,means for introducing a pressure agent into the pump mechanism to causean up movement of the piston of the pump mechanism by a pressure againstsaid piston, whereby the gas-holder is elevated on said up movement ofthe piston, means for causing the pressure agent to be discharged frombeneath the piston to permit of the descent of said piston andconsequent descent of the initial gasholder, a carbureter also locatedWithin the water-tank, and adapted for discharging gaseous vaportherefrom into the gas-holder, and means for forcing gas out of thegas-holder and tank, on the down movement of said gasholder.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' FRANK A. SMITH.

Witnesses:

1-1. M. RoYcE, LOUISA SCHWEDLER.

